Sheikh Sajid Umar

Website

  • Home
  • Main Blog
    • Articles
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Provisions For The Hereafter
    • Islamic Finance
    • New Muslim’s Corner
    • Knowledge Bites
    • Ponder This…
    • Young Learner’s Hub
    • Ramadan
    • Rulings & Advice (Q&A)
    • Memorize & Understand Surah Kahf
  • Biography
  • Schedule & Events
  • Articles
  • Video
  • Audio
  • Memorize & Understand Surah Kahf
  • Rulings & Advice (Q&A)
  • Islamic Finance
  • Knowledge Bites
  • Ponder This…
  • Awareness
  • New Muslim’s Corner
  • Young Learner’s Hub
  • Remarkable Projects
  • Provisions For The Hereafter Class
  • Quotes

Ramadan – Qiyaam al-layl

July 11, 2015 by Sajid Umar Leave a Comment

shutterstock_105088712-1024x653-770x491

Droplets of water drip down slowly from the faces of the believers as they finish performing ablution. Sleepy eyes now wide open as minds are once more awakened and bodies are revitalised and ready. Whilst the rest of the world is seemingly asleep, the moon shines like a glorious lamp in the starlit sky, as feet are placed firmly on the ground, bodies turned in the direction of prayer and hands raised in surrender to their Lord. This is Qiyaam al-Layl.

Qiyaam al-layl is simply translated as ‘The standing at night.’ It is known to be similar to the Taraaweeh prayer, except that Qiyaam al-layl can be performed in any month and on any night, whilst Taraaweeh prayer is specifically performed in Ramadan. This voluntary prayer can be performed any time after the night prayer, Ishaa, until the break of dawn and is deeply beloved to God Almighty.

Qiyaam al-layl is a beautiful means of drawing close to God Almighty, a means of achieving His love, mercy and eternal pleasure, as well as His greatest reward; Paradise. This is because most people would rather sleep, than stand at night to converse with their Lord. Thus, those who strive to perform this prayer are investing in their Hereafter and are taking an extra means to draw near to their Lord.

The prayer is called Qiyaam al-layl and is only slightly different from ‘Tahajjud’. The latter is prayed after one has slept for a while whilst the former is prayed without a break for sleep. Tahajjud is in fact even more rewarding in the sight of God Almighty, as the believer must make an extra effort to get out of bed and sacrifice their sleep.

These prayers are characterized by their long standings in which large portions of the Qur’an are generally recited. Thus they are recommended acts of worship as they allow an individual the time to reflect, ponder and review the verses of the Qur’an they have memorised. They are a time of strengthening one’s relationship with God Almighty and the Qur’an through voluntary worship.

Both the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad both speak about the great merits and virtues of this voluntary prayer. For example, God Almighty makes mention in the Qur’an of a group who will enter Paradise for they prayed the night prayer.

He says:

تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمَضَاجِعِ يَدۡعُونَ رَبَّہُمۡ خَوۡفً۬ا وَطَمَعً۬ا وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ

“They (the believers) forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.” [As-Sajdah (32): 16]

كَانُواْ قَلِيلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ مَا يَہۡجَعُونَ

“They (the pious) used to sleep but little at night.” [Ath-Thariyat (51): 17]

In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has mentioned the excellence of the night prayer numerous times. He informed us that the most beloved prayer to God Almighty was that of Prophet David (peace and blessings be upon him), who slept one half of the night, got up (and prayed) for one third, and then slept (the remaining) one sixth [Bukhari].

And so we see that Qiyaam al-layl is a special prayer, which has been gifted to those who want to seek the forgiveness, mercy and pleasure of God Almighty and strive to be beloved to Him. It is not only a gift but a beautiful honor through which God raises one’s rank in this life and the next.

Perhaps praying Qiyaam al-layl every day is too difficult for some, however one should try their best to perform this prayer once a week, once a month, or even at least once in their lifetime.

So dear brothers and sisters, struggle and strive to pray Qiyaam al-layl so that you can be amongst those people who used to pray in the depths of the nights seeking the Face of God Almighty. God is the All-Seeing and the All-Appreciative and will reward you manifold in return for your sacrifice and your standing in the depths of the night whilst the world sleeps.

We ask God Almighty to gift us with the ability to stand the long nights in worship of Him and to grant us the manifold reward that is rewarded exclusively to those who perform Qiyaam al-Layl.

 

Practical tips:

  1. Take it slowly. Burn in, rather than burn out! Begin with a few units of this voluntary prayer and then build up.
  2. Remember to eat lightly and stay hydrated. This will make praying the Qiyaam prayers easier.
  3. Try to read a portion of the translation of the Qur’anic verses that will be recited that night so that you know what is being recited to you whilst praying. You will find this will help you to not only concentrate better but also to have a closer sense of connection with God Almighty.
  4. Strive to stay consistent with these prayers even after Ramadan ends. Even if it simply means praying an extra 2 units of prayer before sleeping.
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Filed Under: Articles, New Muslim's Corner

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Follow Us

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On YoutubeVisit Us On Linkedin

Recent Posts

  • 1444 Ramadan Series @ Melbourne Madeenah Islamic Centre – 3
  • 1444 Ramadan Series @ Melbourne Madeenah Islamic Centre – 2
  • 1444 Ramadan Series @ Melbourne Madeenah Islamic Centre – 1
  •  إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
  • How does the Shariah Identify Money?

Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • Schedule & Events
  • Leave Testimonial

Copyright © · All Rights Reserved. "Sheikh Sajid Umar" - Idimdb -